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Boudjemaa under scrutiny from “CAF” following controversial gesture in Africa Cup
Algerian national team striker Baghdad Bounedjah has sparked widespread outrage on social media due to an inappropriate gesture directed at the fans immediately after the match against the Congolese team in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco.
Although the match ended with Algeria’s victory and advancement to the quarter-finals, the final whistle was not the end of the matter. Bounedjah turned towards the stands and made a gesture that many considered provocative and shameful, with sexual and selective implications, widely interpreted as aimed at Algeria’s anticipated opponent in the next round.
The incident, captured in widely circulated videos, has brought to light the disciplinary regulations of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), specifically Article 147, which clearly states: “Any person who provokes fans during a match shall be punished with a three-match suspension and a fine of no less than 10,000 US dollars.”
According to this article, if it is proven that the player engaged in provocative behavior towards the fans, he could face severe penalties, including a suspension of up to three matches, meaning he could miss the remainder of Algeria’s journey in the continental tournament underway in Morocco.
As the CAF disciplinary committee deliberates, the debate and criticism continue, with calls for strict adherence to the regulations, to maintain the integrity of the competition and respect for the fans in a tournament that is meant to reflect sportsmanship above all else.
